Virgil Gibson of the Platters offers a Special Valentine’s Concert on February 15th at the Temecula Community Theatre

One of Temecula’s more celebrated residents is Virgil Gibson, former lead singer of Paul Robi’s Platters. Virgil has also shared the stage with the Coasters, The Drifters and has appeared with Bobby Day, Dee Clark and Al Wilson to name just a few. He also sang with The Rivingtons for 18 years, perhaps best known for the hit “Papa Oom Mow Mow.”

As of press time, plans are underway for Virgil to headline a show at The Old Town Temecula Community Theater on February 15 in a benefit concert for Our Nicholas Foundation, whose mission is to bring attention to our community about autism. Through his music, he wants to help autistic kids. Kathy and Mark Anselmo created the foundation in the name of their son Nicholas, now 15. “We’ve all got problems” he said. His hope is to make music a thing of history and teaching. He firmly believes diet and nutrition are critical, saying we need to eat to live instead of living to eat.

His other wish is to get senior citizens together and get them off the sidelines. “People are taking eight to ten meds a day, and that’s way too many.” He told me when he was young “there was nothing” to help get rid of fear or anxiety. With that in mind he has created Virgil’s Kids, with his wish being to develop character and teach leadership skills in special needs children with the hope of having them join him onstage to perform live with him.

Temecula Mayor Mike Naggar met with Virgil and is an enthusiastic supporter of the cause and the concert, scheduled to start at 7:30 with some special musical guests to be announced. For ticket information, call The Old Town Theatre at 1.866.OLD.TOWN – 1.866.653.8696 www.TemeculaTheater.org.